"What Is The Carpal Tunnel Whiplash Connection?"

Carpal tunnel
symptoms typically come on slowly. Day after day we are able to type at
the computer with no problem and then one morning a little tingling in
the fingers develops. We shake our hands, stretch the fingers, and try
to go back to the keyboard. But inevitably the tingling continues and
seems to worsen as we try to do our work.

Why does this occur? Why
are we fine one day, and the next we have disabling pain that
interferes with our ability to work? This can be very distressing
psychologically and many patients with carpal tunnel symptoms show signs
of depression.

So what was the event that triggered the problem? A
chiropractic or medical doctor may ask about a trauma to the wrist
bones, but most patients will not say they suffered an accidental
injury. Often times, both hands seem to be affected and trauma is
usually seen when landing on one wrist, with symptoms following within
minutes or days of the event.

But carpal tunnel syndrome is much
different. The symptoms come on slowly and out of nowhere. Typing is
fine one day, and the next we cannot complete our work at the keyboard.

Carpal
tunnel symptoms come from the nerves that pass through the wrist. Those
nerves begin in the neck, cross the shoulder, and go down the arm
before entering the carpal tunnel that is formed by the bones in the
wrist.

Typing is not a traumatic motion for the fingers and the
hand. One has to look at other potential areas where the nerves travel.
These areas can become traumatized from accidents. The neck is
especially vulnerable to trauma from car accidents and sports injuries.
The delicate ligaments and disks of the neck can be injured when the
head is whipped around from trauma.

Unfortunately, when we type,
the neck is usually in a forward bent position, especially if the typist
has to look at the keyboard while working. If the computer user is in
this position for many hours during the day, the nerves can eventually
become stretched, producing pain, tingling, and numbness. If those same
nerves were traumatized from a whiplash injury, forward head position
alone can be enough to bring on symptoms. This is why it is important
that a doctor looks at more than just the wrist areas when examining the
patient.

When the low back is injured, leg pain or sciatica can
result. The problem is rarely caused by a problem in the leg. Carpal
tunnel symptoms act the same way. If your carpal tunnel symptoms don’t
seem to respond to wrist treatments, consult a chiropractor who will do a
detailed examination of all areas that could be causing the problem,
especially the neck. Tell the doctor about any traumas to the spine you
may have suffered in the past. Injuries from even decades earlier can be
the hidden cause of your problem and are very significant.

Thousands of Doctors of Chiropractic across the United States and Canada have taken "The ChiroTrust Pledge":“To the best of my ability, I agree to provide my patients convenient, affordable, and mainstream Chiropractic care.I will not use unnecessary long-term treatment plans and/or therapies.”

To locate a Doctor of Chiropractic who has taken The ChiroTrust Pledge, google "The ChiroTrust Pledge" and the name of a town in quotes.

Search

Conditions

Archives

This information should not be substituted for medical or chiropractic advice. Any and all health care concerns, decisions, and actions must be done through the advice and counsel of a health care professional who is familiar with your updated medical history.